Modernizing the West

Modern Architecture has become more and more a part of my life. Intriguing, beautiful, sometimes unexplainable, and always interesting modern architecture changes the way we view living + working spaces. Coast Modern follows the West Coast's Modern Architecture movement, its history, present and offers insight into the future.

Filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome have created a documentary that will take you on a journey through three generations of modern architecture on the West Coast of North America.

This film speaks with the architects and their patrons, and asks if Modernism’s time has finally come or did it ever really go away.

The Swimming Cities of Switchback Sea

"Swimming cities of Switchback Sea is a flotilla of seven intricately hand crafted vessels that will navigate the stretch of the Hudson River between Troy and the New York harbor this August 15th - September 7th. Imagined as a hybrid between boats and bits of land mass broken off and headed out to sea, the Switchback vessels will make stops in towns along the river bringing performances and music. Over the course of three weeks they will make their way toward their home port - an invented landscape tucked into a niche along the East River in Long Island City, Queens.

The Swimming Cities is designed and organized by printmaker and installation artist Swoon. Collaborators include playwright Lisa D’Amour, the band Dark Dark Dark and circus composer Sxip Shirey. Propulsion systems brought by John Rinaldi and Kinetic Steam Works. Boat design and carpentry created in close collaboration with Jeff Stark, Iris Lasson, and with guidance from The Floating Neutrinos. This is Swoon’s second major installation with Deitch Projects."

So ILL

Let your Hair down with Falcon Motorcycles

"Falcon Motorcycles is a custom motorcycle company that specializes in taking the raw derelict frames and engines of post war British motorcycles, and transforming them into one-of-a-kind, handmade machines.^[2] It was founded in 2007, by at the time underground motorcycle builder Ian Barry and his British born fiancee Amaryllis Knight. Each motorcycle produced by Falcon is unique, and personalized from frame to engine, the majority of parts being custom created for the rider, whilst rare vintage parts are modified and tailored to the specific buyer. or bike^[3]

Falcon Motorcycle's exclusive custom work is "breathing new life into the business of custom motorcycle construction" according to UK's Esquire Magazine, who chose Falcon's motorbikes to represent custom motorcycles in the magazine's 2008 "Style 100" issue.^[4]

Falcon developed an avid following, and a devoted group of clientele, that include amongst many celebrities such as Queens of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, professional skateboarder Jason Lee and actor Giovanni Ribisi.^[5]. The un-repeated motorcycles are known for being fast, stripped-down customs, that stay true to the design styles of their period, while being filled with innovative ideas and design.^[6]"

Ghostland Observatory at Street Scene

I was lucky enough to witness Texas Electro/Punk/ Dance duo Ghostland Observatory, killing it at San Diego's Street Scene. If you can dance and have any sense of adventure, these guys will rock your face off completely...talk about sound and lights.

NEW Microsoft Ads

Computer Conglomerate Microsoft gave their 300 million dollar advertising account to Crispin Porter + Bogusky, a creative agency run out of its offices in Boulder, Venice Beach and Miami. 300 million dollars for such gratuitous celebrity endorsement, are you being fooled?

RAEN OPTICS

Brothers Justin and Jeremy Heit's dreams of starting a line of designer sunglasses has come true and we all should consider ourselves lucky! These frames are aimed to fit those who express themselves not only while surfing, skating and snowboarding but also on canvas, on record and many other platforms as well. Take a peek at what you'll be wishing was protecting your eyes from the suns harmful UV rays at RAENOPTICS.COM.

Cold War Kids: Loyalty to Loyalty

The Cold War Kids are my favorite band and they are releasing a new album this September 23rd, the title is Loyalty to Loyalty and you should check it out then buy it, because you will not be disappointed.